Detroit Vacant Lot Blooms into Bee-Friendly Oasis

In November 2025, a Detroit nonprofit is collaborating with an environmental organization to revitalize a vacant lot and turn it into an official Bee City. The project, which is currently in its second phase, will transform the neglected space into a thriving arboretum and botanical garden.

Last month, volunteers, including 9-year-old Piper Pharr, gathered to clean up the lot located on Detroit's east side. "You have to not litter, like, you can't just throw this or that on the ground," Pharr explained, highlighting the importance of reducing waste and properly disposing of trash.

Over the next year, the area will undergo a dramatic transformation. Walking paths, educational signs, and vibrant flowers will replace the vacant lot, similar to the Navajo Grove in the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood. Timothy Jackson of Detroit Hives emphasized the value of these pollinator-friendly spaces, noting that they provide a low-cost, sustainable solution to support both the community and local wildlife.

"If we clean up this property, it will help prevent littering and pollution elsewhere in the community as well," said Evan Raskin, the national campaign manager with Earthday.org. The organization is working alongside Detroit Hives to restore the lot, with plans to strip back old soil, plant cover crops and flowers, and prepare the area for the arrival of busy bees.

"You get to help our planet. Our planet means a lot to me," Pharr said, capturing the enthusiasm and sense of purpose shared by the volunteers involved in this transformative project.